NEW DELHI: West Bengal governor, CV Ananda Bose, expressed concern over the deteriorating health conditions of junior doctors who have been on a hunger strike for the past five days and requested them to continue their protest without affecting their health, news agency PTI reported citing a source of Raj Bhavan.
“The governor is very concerned with the deteriorating health conditions of the agitating young medics who have been fasting since Saturday.On behalf of the people of Bengal, civil society of India and as a father, he appealed to the junior doctors on hunger strike to end the hunger strike,” the official told news agency PTI.
The governor visited the junior doctor at their strike venue in Dharmatala assuring them of holding a peace meeting soon with all stakeholders to address the situation.
The venue and time for the meeting are yet to be decided. “The power of the people is greater than the people in power. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” said Bose during the meeting.
The agitating young medics presented Bose with a list of their ten demands and requested a possible permanent solution to the problems during the meeting.
The protesting doctors have been seeking justice for the deceased woman medic at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. They have also called for the immediate removal of health secretary NS Nigam from his position.
The doctors also demanded creation of a centralised referral system that would encompass all hospitals and medical colleges throughout the state and have also pushed for the implementation of a bed vacancy monitoring system along with the establishment of task forces to ensure essential provisions such as CCTV, on-call rooms, and washrooms at their workplaces.
Moreover, the protesting doctors have highlighted the need for increased police protection in hospitals, including the recruitment of permanent women police personnel. They have also urged the swift filling of vacant positions for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers.
Additionally, the Kolkata Police raised concerns about the worsening health condition of Dr Aniket Mahato, a junior doctor who has been on a hunger strike at the Dorina crossing since October 5.
In a letter addressed to Dr Mahato, the officer-in-charge of Hare Street Police Station wrote, “It is to mention that you are on hunger strike at Dorina crossing since last Saturday and afterwards on a forcefully erected stage without permission from competent authority.”
“Information from the display board (on health parameters) kept in front of your stage, as well as from other sources, indicates that your condition is deteriorating. Department of Health, Government of West Bengal, has been requested to deploy a team of doctors for you,” he added.
The police urged Dr Mahato to “vacate your current place of stay and avail medical assistance to prevent further deterioration.” They assured him that all necessary logistical assistance would be provided.
The junior doctors initiated their cease work following the tragic rape-murder of a fellow medic at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. After 42 days of protest, they concluded their strike on September 21, having received assurances from the state government that their demands would be addressed.